Bear- Delaware State Police have obtained a warrant charging a New Jersey man with murder in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred in a Bear area parking lot in March, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.
Hale said on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, Delaware State Police detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Elder Saavedra, 24, of Swedesboro, NJ with Murder 1st Degree in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on Sunday, March 26, 2017 in the parking lot of 2000 Firedancer Lane, Bear.
Saavedra is currently incarcerated in Pennsylvania due to a prior detainer issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Saavedra will be formerly arrested upon his extradition from Pennsylvania.
Hale said the investigation began after troopers were called in reference to a male pedestrian, later identified as Lester Mateo, 24, of Pennsville, NJ, who had been struck by a vehicle. During the investigation troopers learned that an altercation had occurred inside the El Nuevo Rodeo Restaurant involving several individuals, according to Hale.
Following the altercation Lester Mateo responded to a vehicle in the parking lot of the business, said Hale. He then drove the car a short distance in the parking lot before getting out of it. It was then that Elder Saavedra entered the car and proceeded to run into Mateo, pinning him against a second vehicle which was parked in the lot, according to Hale. Saavedra then exited the vehicle and fled the parking lot on foot.
Lester Mateo was removed from the scene and transported to the Christiana Medical Center where he was subsequently pronounced dead. His body was turned over to the Division of Forensic Sciences where his death was ruled a homicide. Through further investigation detectives were subsequently able to identify Elder Saavedra as the suspect.
Original Story Update
Bear -Delaware State Police have identified that male victim who was struck and killed in the hit-and-run crash which occurred in the parking lot of 2000 Firedancer Lane on Sunday, March 26, 2017, as Lester Mateo, 23, of Pennsville, NJ.
The investigation into this incident is continuing and the Delaware State Police are asking anyone who may have any information to contact Det. Scott Mauchin at 302-365-8414. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”
Original Story
Bear – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal hit and run crash that occurred this morning involving a pedestrian, according to Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz.
Bratz said that the incident occurred today around 1:28 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2017 near the Nuevo Rodeo, located at 2000 Firedancer Lane in Bear. The pedestrian was walking in the parking lot when an unknown driver operating a Cadillac Escalade struck the pedestrian.
After the pedestrian was knocked to the ground, the vehicle continued, striking a parked vehicle and the building of the Alpha Worship Center. Immediately after the collisions the operator fled the area in an unknown direction.
The pedestrian was treated at the scene by the New Castle County paramedics and then transported to the Christiana Hospital where the victim was pronounced deceased. Alcohol involvement is undetermined at this point. The investigation is continuing by the Collision Reconstruction Unit and CIU.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Master Corporal J. Aube at 302-365-8483. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”
Image Credits: Delaware State Police